As the year draws to a close, just-drinks takes a look back at the stories that have made the headlines across the global drinks industry over the last 12 months. In this, the third in our four-part category review, Ben Cooper considers how 2017 has treated the wine sector.

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Earlier today, Australian private equity group CHAMP announced the divestment of Accolade Wines to The Carlyle Group for AUD1bn (US$768m). The news marks the end of CHAMP's association in wine, which started in 2011 when it bought 80% of Constellation Brands' Australian and UK wine operations for AUD290m (then-US$290m). Having spoken to CHAMP CEO John Haddock at the time of the purchase, it seemed only right for just-drinks to grab him for one final chat, to find out what CHAMP is passing over, why they're selling and what wine lessons the group learnt over the last seven years.

In the second part of this week's just-drinks interview with Accolade Wines CEO Paul Schaafsma, we discuss the role brands have to play in the wine industry, whether wine is more of an FMCG than a purist's playground and the secrets to successful marketing.

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Lighter styles of wine grew in popularity in 2017 as the demographic of wine consumers continued to diversify. This was supported by Australia’s warmer climate, according to industry sources. One exam...

Although per capita wine consumption is relatively low in the UK compared to other Western European countries, per capita sparkling wine consumption is among the highest. Total volume sales of champag...

Alcoholic drinks in Australia continued to feel the impact of growing health consciousness. As a result, per capita volume consumption of alcohol has largely been in decline since 2008. In addition, r...